JP2004313789A - Containing device combined with applicator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a containing and applying device which has a simple design and enables a user to apply a product contained in the device in a line shape directly and easily. <P>SOLUTION: The containing and applying device 1 for the product especially for a cosmetic product has a reservoir 2 for containing the product, a lid 5 for closing the opening part of the reservoir 2, and an applicator 4 impregnated with a certain amount of the product. A first end 7 of the applicator 4 is connected with the lid 5 by a first means 15. A second end 6 of the applicator 4 is connected with the reservoir 2 by a second means 9. Thus, the applicator 4 is pulled out between the lid 5 and the reservoir 2 and is applied to a specific application surface 26. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

The present invention relates to a storage / application unit with an applicator integrated with both the container and the lid. The lid is attached to the container via an applicator to close the container. The operation of the applicator is performed by holding the lid and the container, preferably with both hands, simultaneously.
The invention is used in particular in applicators which are intended for delicate and precise application, preferably for drawing lines. The device according to the invention is mainly suitable for use in eye make-up, including applications for highlighting the edges of the eyelids and / or highlighting the contours of the lips.

  Eyeliners are known in the prior art in which a point-like applicator is attached to the end of a rod fixed to the lid, such that the incorporation of the lid over the reservoir allows the applicator to soak in the product. When drawing a line along the edge of the eyelid, the user must move the tip of the applicator evenly along the surface to be applied. It is difficult to do this make-up operation without fail. The resulting lines often have undesirable bias.

Thus, in a known manner, US Pat. No. 5,077,086 discloses the use of an applicator that is preformed to perfectly fit the application surface. A user of such an applicator must first coat the working surface of the applicator using another coating means. Furthermore, the shape of the applicator does not allow easy insertion of the applicator into the product reservoir. The application of eye make-up according to the technique of this document involves the use of cumbersome equipment. In addition, the applicator is not suitable for all users as it is made to operate to the contours of the average eyelid. A device of the same design is also known for an applicator for drawing a contour line of the lips, in particular in US Pat.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,334,552 U.S. Pat. No. 2,834,356

  There is a need to provide a storage and application device with a simple design that allows the product contained in the device to be easily and directly applied in line form. For this purpose, the invention proposes to draw a line between these two points by means of an elongated flexible applicator having points at both ends. The user can draw a line without a mirror by precisely positioning these two points.

  To determine the dimensions of such an applicator, a first end of the applicator corresponding to the first point is connected to the lid of the storage and application device, and a second end of the applicator corresponding to the second point is connected to the device. Connected to reservoir. The make-up operation when using such an applicator preferably requires the use of both hands, holding the reservoir with one hand and the lid with the other hand to place the applicator between the two points. Hold. Preferably, the user forms a line in the skin between the two points by applying the second point of the applicator to the skin and pulling the first point of the applicator down toward the skin.

Accordingly, the present invention discloses a device for applying and containing a product, in particular a cosmetic product. This device is:
A reservoir containing the product;
A lid closing the opening of the reservoir;
An applicator capable of impregnating a predetermined quantity of product; and
It comprises first means for connecting the first end of the applicator to the lid, and second means for connecting the second end of the applicator to the reservoir;

  The cosmetic product applied using the device according to the invention is preferably a fluid, more preferably a liquid or semi-liquid. Within the scope of the Cosmetic Directive 76/768 / CEE, cosmetic products refer to the cleaning, fragrance, modification, protection or protection of various surfaces of the human body (skin, hair, nails, lips) by contacting them. Conditioning is defined as any substance or preparation that is intended to be distributed for professional or primary purposes.

  Advantageously, the applicator remains connected to the first means and the second means during use and cannot be separated therefrom.

  Advantageously, the first means is integral with the lid. Similarly, the second means includes a support movably mounted on the reservoir and integral with the reservoir. This support also connects to the second end of the applicator.

  Preferably, said support comprises retaining means designed to engage a corresponding configuration on the reservoir. A corresponding configuration prevents the movable support from falling out of the reservoir.

  More preferably, such an engagement is made by means of a support having a flange on the outer side wall proposed by the invention, the corresponding component being formed by a wiper element mounted in the opening of the reservoir. This causes the flange to catch on the shell of the wiper element.

  The "closed" position of the device is the position where the lid is attached to the reservoir and covers the opening and the applicator is hidden inside the reservoir. Preferably, the lid threads around the outer periphery of the reservoir. In this "closed" position, the applicator is at least partially submerged in the product.

  When the lid is removed from the reservoir opening, the applicator is pulled away from the reservoir by the lid. The applicator progressively exits the reservoir opening. Preferably, a wiper element is mounted on the inner wall of the reservoir at the location of the opening. The wiper element serves to wipe off excess product present around the applicator. Thus, the applicator section coming out of the reservoir always contains the same amount of product, which corresponds to the amount required for one application.

  Advantageously, the applicator is flexible. Thus, the applicator can be applied to a curved surface. Further, the applicator is easily bent to cover the entire length of the surface to be applied and deforms elastically. The length of the application surface may be longer than the "non-use" length of the applicator defined between the first and second ends, in which case the applicator is elastically stretched. In a variant, the applicator can contract by elasticity.

  In order to control these ends, at least one of the first means and the second means is rigid. This stiffness allows at least one end of the applicator to be directed towards the application surface and the point of contact to be held between this surface and said end of the applicator.

  If the second means is rigid, it can be held diagonally in the reservoir opening, so that even if the second means is movable and can be drawn inside the reservoir because it is not in the holding position, it can be To fix the position of the second end of the applicator. Preferably, in this fixed position, the second means is held by a wiper element, which prevents the product from flowing out of the reservoir in this position.

  Also, after use, the first means cooperates with the second means so that the applicator is reinserted into the reservoir. For example, the first means can be used to push the second means into the bottom of the reservoir. In addition, if the applicator is flexible, the applicator can be wrapped around any of the means, if desired, so that it is re-inserted directly inside the container at the same time as the wrapped means. Preferably, the first and second means are rigid to facilitate proper application by the applicator during use and to facilitate closure of the device after use.

  The following description and the annexed drawings will provide a better understanding of the invention. They are provided only as a guide for the present invention and do not limit the present invention in any way.

  FIG. 1 shows a storage and application device 1 according to the invention. The device 1 has a reservoir 2 in which a certain amount of product, in particular a cosmetic product, is stored. The reservoir 2 has an opening 3 from which the applicator 4 is taken out. When the device 1 is in the “closed” position, the applicator is inside the reservoir 2. However, when the device (1) is in the "open" position and ready for use, i.e. when the lid 5 is removed from the reservoir 2, the applicator 4 is withdrawn from the opening 3.

  Preferably, the applicator 4 has an elongate shape, each end being defined by a first end 7 and a second end 6, the ends 6 and 7 being separated from one another along a longitudinal main axis 8 of the applicator 4. Preferably, they face each other. At least one of these two ends has, for example, a ridge that constitutes a protruding element felt during application, thus providing a tactile aid for positioning the first point on the application surface.

  The applicator 4 is preferably flexible and can be elastically deformed. Retractably deformable means that it can be bent or stretched. The applicator may be, for example, a flexible thermoplastic material or a bundle of synthetic or other fibers parallel to one another, possibly grouped together over the entire length.

  At least one surface of the applicator 4 is applied to the application surface. This surface is defined in particular on the contour of the applicator between the two ends 6 and 7. In embodiments where the applicator has a rectangular cross section, two surfaces of different widths of the applicator are available and can be used selectively depending on the application surface. The cross section of the applicator is a plane perpendicular to the axis 8. In a variant, the applicator 4 has a circular cross section.

  The support 9 is attached to the second end 6 of the applicator 4. Preferably, the support 9 is rigid and partially retained inside the reservoir 2. In particular, the opening 3 of the reservoir 2 fits into the means 10 so that the support 9 does not come off the reservoir 2. This means 10 also functions as a wiper element of the applicator 4. In practice, the means 10 is mounted near the opening 3. The means 10 is held in said position, for example, by a circular ring 11 provided on the outer circumference of the wiper element 10 engaging with the inner wall of the reservoir 2.

  To prevent the support 9 from coming off the reservoir 2, the support 9 includes, for example, a flange 12 defined around the entire circumference of the support 9 and stopping against an edge 13 of the wiper element 10. This edge 13 corresponds to the periphery of a channel 14 formed in the wiper element 10 and allows the applicator 4 to be withdrawn from the reservoir 2. At least a part of the support 9 can pass through this channel 14.

  When the device is in the “closed” position, the support 9 and the applicator 4 are hidden in the reservoir 2.

  Furthermore, the first end 7 of the applicator is connected to a rod 15 following the lid 5. Rod 15 is preferably rigid. The rod is obtained, for example, by cutting the mold together with the lid 5. Rod 15 may also be an element mounted inside the lid. In this case, the rod is held in a fixed state.

  A method of assembling a device such as device 1 includes the following steps. For example: for the first section T1, attach the second end 6 to the support 9, then slide the wiping means 10 from the still free end of the first end 7 towards the second end (6); Finally, the first end 7 is connected to the rod 15. In the second section T2, the end of the support 9 forming the flange 12 is first inserted into the opening 3 to fill the reservoir 2 with the product. Insert into 2. At the same time, the wiping means 10 is moved in the direction of the opening 3 and attached and fixed near the opening 3. In particular, the collar 16 of the wiping means 10 is firmly attached to the edge 17 of the opening 3.

  Due to gravity, the support 9 may cause the applicator 4 to move into the reservoir under its own weight. To fully insert the applicator 4 into the reservoir, the rod 15 is also inserted into the opening 17 and moves the applicator 4 with it. If the support is not completely inserted into the reservoir 2, it is pushed in by the rod 15. For this reason, the rod 15 is preferably rigid.

  The lid is for closing the opening 3. The lid can include a wall forming a skirt around the rod 15 and can have threads on the inner surface 18. As a counterpart, a corresponding projection is provided at the outer surface 19 of the reservoir 2, in particular at the location of the neck formed below the opening 3, which engages with the threaded inner surface 18. Alternatively, the skirt can be snapped onto the outer surface of the neck.

  In a preferred use of the device 1, when the lid 5 is removed from the reservoir 2, these two elements can be separated. Preferably, the lid 5 is moved while the axis 20 of the rod is aligned with the axis 8 of the applicator 4 and in line with the axis 21 of the support 9. The flange 12 of the support 9 contacts the wiping means 10 and the lid 5 is pulled until the applicator 4 is completely withdrawn from the reservoir 2. The applicator 4 is then withdrawn between the rod 15 and the support 9, so that the rod 15 and thus the lid 5 can be located at a position 20 having an angle that does not coincide with the axis 8 of the applicator 4. Similarly, the support 9 can be oriented at an angled position 21 that does not coincide with the axis 8 of the applicator 4 and can then be fixed to the wiping means 10. Each of the axes 20 and 21 is oriented approximately 90 degrees with respect to the applicator 4 and lies perpendicular to and opposite the application surface relative to the application surface.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in order to fix the position of the support 9 with respect to the reservoir 2, the support 9 is held at an angle to the opening 3. In this way, between the axis 21 of the support 9 and the exit axis 23 of the opening 3, for example 5 to 20 degrees depending on the elliptical shape of the support 9 and the wiper element 10, especially the respective diameter and length. , Angles 22 are formed. With such a design, the user holds the lid 5 in one hand 24 and the reservoir in the other hand 25, at the desired position on the application surface, in this case the edge of the eyelid 26, the end 6 and 7 can be positioned.

  Preferably, the hand 25 holding the reservoir 2 positions the second end 6 at the inner corner of the eyelid 26, moves the other hand 24 along the eyelid, and positions the first end 7 at the edge of the eyelid 26. The length of the applicator 4 can be adjusted by winding a part of the applicator 4 around the rod 15, so that it can be adjusted to the length necessary to obtain a desired line. Or, conversely, the application can be started by aligning the first point with the edge of the eyelid.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the applicator 4 is flexible so that it can draw a curve that conforms to the particular shape of the eyelid 26. In this case, it is not always necessary to hold the applicator between the support 9 and the rod 15.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the device according to the invention in an “open” position. 4 illustrates the use of a device according to the invention. 1 is an exploded side view of the device according to the invention.

Explanation of reference numerals

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Storage and application apparatus 2 Reservoir 3 Opening 4 Applicator 5 Lid 6 4 Second end 7 4 1st end 8 4 axis 9 Support 10 Wiping means, wiper element 11 Circular ring 12 Flange 13 10 Edge 14 Channel 15 The collar 16 of the rod 16 10 17 The rim of the opening 3 18 The inner surface of 185 19 The outer surface of 2 2015 The axis of 15 21 The axis of 19 22 The angle between 21 and 23 233 The exit axis of 33 24, 25 Each hand 26 Eye lid

Claims (13)

A device for applying and containing a product, in particular a cosmetic product (1), comprising:
-A product storage reservoir (2);
A lid (5) for closing the reservoir opening (3),
An applicator (4) capable of impregnating a certain amount of product; and
An apparatus comprising first means (15) for connecting the lid to the first end (7) of the applicator and second means (9) for connecting the reservoir to the second end (6) of the applicator. .   2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first means is integral with the lid.   Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the applicator remains connected to the first means and the second means during use.   Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second means can be held obliquely (21, 22, 23) with respect to the opening of the reservoir.   5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second means comprises a support (9) movably mounted inside the reservoir, the support being connected to the second end of the applicator. Equipment.   6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the support comprises a retaining means (12) for engaging a corresponding arrangement (10, 13) provided in the reservoir, the corresponding arrangement preventing the support from coming off the reservoir.   It is possible that the support comprises a flange (12) on the outer side wall and that the corresponding arrangement comprises a wiper element (10) mounted on the opening of the reservoir, the flange abutting on the edge (13) of the wiper. 7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein:   Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that when the lid is fitted in the reservoir, the applicator is hidden inside the reservoir and is at least partially immersed in the product.   9. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that when the lid is removed from the reservoir opening, the applicator is pulled away from the reservoir by the lid.   10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the lid can be screwed (18, 19) into the reservoir.   Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicator is flexible and can be stretchably applied to a curved application surface (26).   12. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second means is rigid, so that at least one end of the applicator can be positioned in a specific manner with respect to the application surface. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims.   Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first means and the second means cooperate to insert the applicator into the reservoir.

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